Hobbyhorse



G. COLEMAN April 11, 1950 HOBBYHORSE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 4, 1947 INVENTOR 35005; 002m ATTORNEY Patented Apr. ll, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v HOBBYHOR SE Gregory Coleman, New York, N. Y.

Application December 4, 1947, Serial No. 789,724

' This invention relates to toy horses for youngsters, and more especially to hobby horses of the propelled type.

"It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a hobby horse the riding of which not only compels a youngster to imitate to a large extent the manipulations of a real horseback rider, but also imparts to the youngster many of the thrills of an actual horseback ride without involving any of the dangers thereof.

Accordingly, it is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a wheeled hobby horse which is propelled by'stirru'p action, steered by a left or right pull on the reins, and braked or stopped by a backward pull on the reins.

It is another'specific object of the present invention to construct a hobby horse so that its imitation head will swing to either side to which the horse is steered, and will nod when the brake is applied.

It is another important object of the present invention to provide for the hobby horse a carriage which is of simple and durable construction, and lends itself to efiicient and inexpensive mass production.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation .of a hobby horse embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the'carriage of the instant hobby horse;

I Fig. 3 is a cross section through the carriage, taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary section through the driving wheel on one of the rear legs of the carriage, substantially as taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fi 5;

Fig. 7 is an end view of one of the sections of which the imitation body of the hobby horse is made; and

Fig. -8 is a section taken on the line 88 0 Fig. 1. r v v Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the reference numeral I0 designates a hobby horse of which the imitation body l2 of a horse is mounted on a, wheeled 9 Claims. (Cl. 280-1.189)

carriage H. The imitation body l2 consists, in

the present instance, of three separate sections l6, l8 and 20. Thus, the body section 16 may simulate the back and hind legs of a horse, the body section I8 may simulate the chest, neck and fore legs of a horse, and the body section 20 may simulate the head of a horse. j

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2, there is shown the wheeled carriage M on which the described imitation body l2 of a horse is mounted in a manner hereinafter referred to. The car riage [4 comprises a frame consisting of comf plementary frame units 24 and 2B. The frame unit 26 comprises a steering post 28 of the type commonly used in bicycles, and has an integral laterally extending mounting fork 30 of tubular legs in which the leading ends of two frame bars 32 are received and suitably secured as by brazQ- ing, for instance. The frame bars 32 extend rear; wardly as at 34, similarly as a horses back, and continue downwardly and preferably outwardly as at 36, similarly as a horses hind legs. The frame bars 32 are preferably reinforced by one or more cross ties 38 which are suitably secured to the former, as by welding, for instance. f

The frame unit 24, hereafter referred to as the steering unit, comprises a shank 40, havinga fork 42 of tubular legs wherein are suitably mounted, as by. brazing, frame bars 44 that diverge downwardly similarly as a horses fore legs. The steering unit 24 further comprises a frame bar 46 which extends similarly as a horses neck. The shank 40 of thesteering unit 24 is suitably journaled in the steering post 28 of the other unit 26 and therein suitably coupled with the frame bar 46 for joint rotation. The frame bars 32, 44 and 46 are preferably. made. of tubing of relatively. light, yet strong metal, such as steel or aluminum, fo'rinstance. f

The frame bars 32 and 44 carry at their lower ends rotary wheels 50, respectively. The mountings of the wheels 50 are preferably identical, and may be as shown in Fig. 4for the sole driving wheel 50' of the carriage. Thus, wheel 50 is mounted'on the laterally bent end 36 of the downwardly extending portion 36 of the "frame bar 32 through intermediation of an axle 54 which may threadedly be received in the laterally bent bar end 36". Interposed between the axle 54 and the hub 56 of the wheel 50' is an antifriction bearing 58, and wheel 50' and bearing 58 are retained on the axle 54 by a washer 60 which is held in place by nuts .62 on the threaded shank 64 of the axle. The driving wheel 50' may, like the remaining wheels 50, be of any conventional toy-wheel construction. Inthe present instance;

3 each wheel 50 may be made of two complementary sheet metal disks 66 and 68 which are suitably joined at their abutting webs 10, as by spot welding, for instance, and form at their outer periphery a well 12 in which a solid rubber tire 52 may be mounted. While the driving wheel 50' is, for a purpose hereinafter described, provided with an axial hub extension 16 (Fig. 4) the remaining wheels 50 need not have such a hub extension, but may otherwise be identical with, and mounted like, the driving wheel 50'.

Suitably mounted on the bars 32 of the frame unit 26 are complementary sections 80 and 82 of a saddle-like bracket 83 (Figs. 2 and 3), which carries certain parts of the propelling means to be described for the driving wheel 50'. More particularly, the bracket sections 86 and 82 are conveniently clamped to the frame bars 32, and simultaneously secured to each other, by bolts 18. The mounted bracket 83 thus also effectively rein fqrces the frame bars 32 against collapse under lead. Bracket section 80 is provided with a depending web 84 in which is suitably iournaled at .86 a stub shaft 88 (see also Fig. 3) on the ends 9; which are mounted opposed crank arms 90, respectively. Also mounted on the stub shaft 88 and interposed between the 'web 84 and one of the crank arms 90 is a pulley 92, .whieh is drivingly connected by a belt 94 with another pulley 36, mounted on the upper end of a shaft 98 which is journaled in suitable bearing brackets I that may conveniently be clamped at I02 to the adjacent frame bar 32. Mounted on the lower end bfthe shaft 98 is a bevel gear I 04 which is in permanent mesh with a companion gear I06 on the hub extension 16 of the driving wheel 50'. gear I06 may conveniently be threaded over the hub extension 16 (Fig. 4). The end of the hub eigtension 16 is preferably stemmedagainst the hub of the gear I06 thereon so as to prevent the letter from working loose on the hub extension 16 under all circumstances. As shown in Figs. 2 and fl, the shaft 98 extends, in the present in.- stance', substantially parallel to the adjacent pgrtion of the frame bar 32', and the rotary axes of the pulleys 92 and 96 intersect each other, wherefore the belt 94 is necessarily twisted.

The bracket section 82 has opposite, down? wardly slanting integral portions III] which tel? nmate in substantially parallel, slotted guides respectively, in which stirrups II6 are re-.

eiprccable (Figs. 2 and 3 More particularly,

each'stirrup'llfi maybe pinned at II 3 on a rod liewhich extends through the adjacent guide I I4. and receives at I20 a connecting rod I22 which is also received by the adjacent crank arm 90. Depending from each stirrup II 6 is a finger I28 which extends through the adjacent guide 4 and carries spaced collars I30 which straddle the guide "4 and serve to hold the stirrup. for free and unimpeded reciprocatory motion in its guide 4.

Pivotally mounted at I32 in a forked forward end I34 of the frame bar. 46 is a bell crank lever :38, the arm Isa of which te t s longitudinally the head section 20 of the imitation body I2, andthe other arm I40 may have a laterally hent, end I42. A tension spring I44 normally rocks lever I36 into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 i ivhih h I lv hereof ar a a nst a collar I48 on the frame bar 46 and the horses head extends forwardly as in normal running. collar I48 is preferably made of rubber or h ike. so as to b ta tia y name ss. wh n the. t! st ik s there sai et en e-d. lac

free end of the arm I38 of the bell crank lever I36 is a transverse rod I50, to the opposite ends of which are attached at I52 reins I54 of any suitable flexible material, such as leather.

The depending web 84 of the bracket section is provided with a laterally extending lug I56 (Figs. 2 and 3) on which is pivotally mounted at I58 a lever I60, carrying a pad I62 of any suitable brake material, such as hard rubber, for instance, which has tapered sides I64 (Fig. 5) that are adapted to engage the opposite walls of the V-shaped peripheral groove I66 of the pulley -92 above the belt 94 therein. The brake pad I62 may conveniently be received in a dove-tail groove I10 in the lever I60 (Fig. 6). Lever I60 is connected by links I12 and I14 with the laterally bent end I42 of the arm I40 of lever I36. More particularly, link I14 is preferably lengthwise adjustable through the interposition of a turnbuckle I16, and the links I12 and I14 are conne ted a I18 b bein ter p c the co yentional fashion shown Fig. ,2, their .intfil: looped connection acting as a universal joint. Suitably mounted on the frame bar 46 is a bracker, I 44 having a hole through which passes the link I14 and which acts as a fulcrum for the latter. Link I14 is so adjust d as to its length, and th b e 1 4 is s posi i n on the frame ba 4 tha t e looped o e tion b ween the links nd 114 li substanti ll o th turning axis az-rc of the steering frame .24 when the bell crank lever I36 assumes the normal position shown in Fig. 2. In thus positioning the universal connection 118 between the links I12 and I14, link I12 will not, or will only impere ceptibly, move lengthwise when the hobby horse is steered in any direction, thus leaving the brake lever I60 in non-braking position at all times. exce when the b l crank v r 36 is m lked clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2 from the position there shown.

W i y s red mm o an mi at o QFlY o a horse may be mounted in any suitable manner on the carriage III, with .a view to conceal the parts of the latter to a maximum extent and to lend to the toy carriage the more .or less realistic appearance of a horse, it is preferred thatthe. here n efor m ni en ii b dy se s 16. I and lube separate parts and mounted separately en the frame units .26, 24 and lever I36, respectively.-. Thus, any suitably fabricated QllOW body section 2 which esem e t e hea o a b res may be mounted in any suitable manner, as, by steel bands I (Fig. l), on the hell crank lever I36 so as to be rockable with the same on the steering le t 24 a d l nd to th toy car iage he r ali m a anc of a no di l hea h ll the I 4 m led backward le b ak n or s p in e ca r age. Likew se, the el ow boar e t o 8 wh ch may else be fa r cated in any suitable manner and more or less re-a1 t l1ly're.- seinbl th es neck an to e leg of a ho s may be mounted in any suitable manner on'the. steering unit 24, as by similar steel bands I30. The fore legs I92 of the body section I8 prefers ably surround the frame bars 44 of the steering un t at least d n t t e o nt whe e he are bent outwardly for the mounting theregn, ef theim he s 50.- F a l the body se t n 1 which like the body sections I8 and 20, may be ab ca ed, n n u able m nne and mere or les eal stical sem e the ba l; and; hind? e s o a ho se a be m un ed i any suitabl t e frame 1.4 b s milar. s raps 1:. mi" am: uitab e bracket 1%. Bod section I6 is preferably provided with an, imitation saddle I96 for a rider, and may be open at theIbottom, at least in part as at 200,,for the outward extension of the stirrup guides II4 (Fig. 1). The hind leg portions202 of the body section It preferably embrace the downwardly extendingportions of the frame bars 32 so as to hide them, as well as the shaft 98 and parts carried thereby, as far as is practical. In order that the body section I8 may turn with the steering unit without interference from the body section I6 on the other frame unit 26, body section I8 may be formed adjacent the oval front opening 2I0 of body sec-' tion It (Figs, 1, 7 and 8) in the circular fashion indicated at 2I2 in Fig. 8, so as toturn in the opening 2H] in much the same manner in which a ball turns in a socket provided therefor. Furthermore, the head section .20 has a portion 220 (Fig. 1) which normally projects into the adjacent body section I8 so that the horses head is always continuous with its neck even when the head is nodded.

It will thus be seen that the instant hobby horse is so constructed that riding the same requires.

action, rather than by initial crank action as heretofore. Furthermore, the hobby horse is steered either to the left or right by a corresponding pull on the reins I54. Moreover, braking and stopping of the horses motion is accomplished in much the same way as an actual riding horse is slowed down or stopped, namely by pulling the reins I54 backward. By compelling the rider of the instant hobby horse to undertake these activities in riding andhandling the same, the rider experiences also many of the thrills of actual horseback-riding without, however, becoming exposed to the well-known dangersthereof. Thus, the neck and head of the hobby horse will turn to either side to which the latter is steered, much in the same way in which a horse reacts to being steered to either left or right. Also, a backward pull on the reins for the purpose of braking or stopping the horse, is accompanied by a nodding of the horses head in much the same way in which a riding horse reacts to a backward pull on the reins.

Having thus described my invention, what I r claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A hobby horse, comprising a wheeled skeleton frame consisting of two hingedly connected complementary frame units so that said frame is steerable in any direction, an imitation body including the head of a horse substantially covering said frame and comprising separate sections mounted on said units, respectively, and relatively turnable with the latter on steering said frame, the leading frame unit including a pivoted support member extending into said head, one of said sections resembling a distinct forepart of a horse and the other section having a riders seat, said first section comprising two separate parts of which one is the horses head and is mounted on said member, the latter being spring-urged into a certain position in which said head part is held relatively high, and is rockable from said certain position to simulate nodding of said head part, and reins on said head part for nodding the latter and for steering said frame, a brake mechanism for said wheeled frame, and an operating connection between said mechanism and head part for actuating the former on nodding the lat- 2. A propelled carriage for -.a hobby fhoi'se, comprising a skeleton frame consisting 'of two complementary frame units of which one unit comprises asteering post, two bars of which first lengths diverge from said post and extend.

similarly as a horses back and continuing lengths thereof extend downwardly similarly as a horses hind legs, respectively, and the other unit is'journalled in saidpost and has a bar support downwardly extending from said post similarly asa horses fore legs, wheels rotatably mounted on the free ends of said bars and bar support, respectively, so that said frame may-be wheeled, a bracket spanning and mounted on said 'firstlengths of said bars-for reenforcing thesame, and driving means for oneof said wheels, said bracket having opposite and downwardly extend: ing guides, and said driving means comprises a shaft rotatably carried by, and extending along,"

one of said continuing bar lengths on which said:

drivingly connecting said stirrups and} crank arms, respectively. I

3. A propelled carriage for a hobby horse, comprising a skeleton frame consisting of'two complementary frame units of which one unit comprises a steering post, two bars of which first lengths diverge from said post and extend sim-" ilarly as a horses back and continuing lengthsthereof extend downwardly similarly as ahorses' hind legs, respectively, and the other unitis journalled in said post and includes apivoted member normally spring-urged into a certain angular position similar to that of, and being noddable like,'-a horses head and a bar support downwardly extending from said post similarly as a'hor's'es fore legs, wheels rotatably mounted-"om the free ends of said bars and bar support, respectively, so that said frame may be wheeled, driving means for one of the wheels on said one unit comprising a grooved pulley rotatably mounted on said one unit, a belt driven by said pulley, a driving connection between said belt and said one wheel, and manually operable means for driving said pulley, a pivoted brake element on said one unit, and an operating connection between said member and brake element so that the latter is rocked into braking engagement with said pulley when said member is nodded.

4. A propelled carriage for a hobby horse as set forth in claim 3, in which said operating connection comprises two links connected with said member and brake element, respectively, and a universal joint connecting said links and being located on the journal axis of said other unit when said member is not nodded.

5. A propelled carriage for a hobby horse as set forth in claim 3, in which said operating connection comprises two links connected with said member and brake element, respectively, and a universal joint connecting said links and being located on the journal axis of said other unit frame units hingedly connected with each other soithat saidzfranieis steerable with one of said units "azbar support downwardly projecting from the hinge connection-between. said .units similarlyas a, horses "fore legs, :the other depending metal tubes extending .sirnilatrines a :horses hindlegs, respectively,- and having their lower ,ends bent outwardly .co-axially ofaaeach othenc. axlesthreadedly mountedxin said benttubel'ends, respectivelxand.wheels rotatably mounted. onsaidl-axles and lower-end of said bar support.,,;respectively.

7 Acarriage fora hobbyhorse, comprising-a skeleton" frame consisting of ,two. complementary framezunitsof which oneunit comprises a steeringposttwonmetal tubes. of which first lengths divergefrom said postand extend similarly as abhorses backhand continuing lengths thereof extend downwardly similarly as a horses hind legs; respectively, and havev their lower-ends. bent outwardly; cosaxiailyof each other, and the other unit comprises a shank journalled in said post, andtwo, metal tubes, diverging from said shank and extending downwardly similarly as a ho-rses forelegs, respectively, and having their lower endsbent outwardly -co-axially of each other, axles threadedly mountedv in said bent tube ends, respectively, and wheels rotatably mounted on saidaxles, respectively.

8. A vcarriageifor ahobby horse, comprising ,a skeleton frame consisting of two, complementary frame units of which one unit comprises a steering. post,,two mutually reenforced bars extending iromsaid post similarly as .a horses back and .therebeyond continuing downwardly similarly-as ahorsels hind legs, respectively, and the other unit comprising a shank journaled in said steering postand two-bars diverging fromsaid shank and extending downwardlyssimilarly as a horses fore legs, respectivelmswheels rotatabiy mounted on the. free ends ofsaid bars,;respectively, :so that said frame maybe wheeled, another bar journaled with one end in said. steering post and-coupled tosaid shank: and extending from saidpostsimilarly; as a ,horses neck,,and a bar pivoted tot-he ireeend of said other barand normaliyrzspringzsnrged into anrangularzpositiori similar torth'at' of ,a horses .hea'd.

:-9." A:propelled1carriage for a hobby hcrse,-:.comprisinga skeleton frame consisting of two:;complementary F frame-units :of which one unitacompnisesqasteering post, two bars of whichffirst lengths diverge from saidlpost and extend similarly asa horse's back and continuing lengths thereof extend fdownwardly similarlyas a horse's hind legs, :"respectively,'a'nd the other .unit is jonrnaled in saidtpost and has a bar-support downwardly extending. from said post, wheels. rotatnhlyainounted onnthe'lowerr ends of said-bars andzliar support, respectively, so that said frame maybe wheeled, a'bracket spanning and mounted. on said first bar lengths. for :reenforcing the, same, andidriviing means for one of'said wheels comprising:a.1shaft rotatably carried :by,: and extending along, that: continuing bar length on which said one wheel? is "mounted, JneShingtbeVeI igears carried by said one wloieel. and the lower end of said shaft, respectively, a first pulley ,mounted on the vupper end ;of said shaft, anotherpulley mounted onxsaidbracket for rotation .about an axis transverse :to said shaft, a belt drivingly connected to. said pulleyaand manually operable meansforrdriving said other pulley.

GREGORY COLEMAN.

REFERENCES CIT-ED The'following=references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 229,655 :Aibrecht July '6, 1880 763,190 *Madonna, June21,1-904 R6856!) "La Londe. ;Aug. 30,1904 694,131 Frederick July 21,-I908 1,396,475 Tracey Nov; 8,1921

l;585,197 "Marcoux May 18, 1926 2,120,102 Kurelic June 7,1938

2;'195,824 Ochoa Apr, 2,1194!) 2,259,987 'Bailie Oct. 21, I941 

